Saturday Night Lights
Amar'e Stoudemire
Every day, more signs are popping up to tell us we’re getting closer and closer to the actual NBA season. Over the last week or so, we’ve watched guys going through the motions in practice (the “Real Training Camp” cameras never lie); Shaq throwing his old teams under the bus to hype up his new team; a valuable Kings player getting hurt; Vince Carter’s critics blasting him for shooting (and missing) too many jumpers; Gerald Wallace dunking on cats; some decent preseason games; a couple of fights and suspensions; and further proof that the Warriors are officially the Oakland Raiders of the NBA. Last night was another milestone, with the first nationally televised game of the year: Suns/Warriors on TNT. The game was played outdoors at the same arena where the Nuggets and Suns played last year — back when everybody’s shot went south in the second half due to the air getting cold. This time, dudes took precautions: Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette and Anthony Morrow were among those wearing long sleeves under their jerseys … The Warriors got the W while keeping it warm, getting 30 points from Morrow and 18 points, seven boards and seven dimes from Stephen Curry. As excited as everybody was post-Draft to see Curry getting buckets in Golden State’s system, in just a few preseason games it’s becoming obvious what he really means for this team: Curry is clearly the best and most willing passer on the roster. When Monta and those guys are on the court without Steph, the offense basically becomes, “I’ve got the ball. MOVE! I’m trying to shoot!” Morrow was especially bad with it. We’re not sure he passed once … Anthony Randolph had 15 points and 13 boards, and Andris Biedrins grabbed 15 boards. Channing Frye led Phoenix with 19 points, while Amar’e Stoudemire scored 13 and Grant Hill added 16 … Earl Clark looks surprisingly big on an NBA court. (Pause.) We knew the kid had legit size from meeting him at our NBA Draft Suite, but he looked like a seven-footer out there last night … Was Reggie Miller’s jaw partially wired shut? He sounded kind of muffled most of the night; at halftime he didn’t seem to be opening his mouth much when he did speak; and in the second half he was clearly under the influence of painkillers when he kept pitching that the NBA have the All-Star Game outdoors in February. Did that dude who’s girl Reggie was messing with finally track him down and give him the Spinks Jinx? … Stephen Jackson was M.I.A., because the Warriors finally decided to show a backbone in dealing with him. S-Jack picked up five fouls (plus a technical) in just nine minutes in their previous game against the Lakers, and when he left the court, went straight to the locker room and bypassed the bench. For that, he was suspended two games. You’ve got to believe the Warriors see what’s happening and are working the phones looking for a trade. Or maybe they’re doing nothing and are fine with having whatever chemistry they’ve got left blow up before Thanksgiving … Speaking of things not ending well, keep an eye on this Andre Miller situation in Portland. ‘Dre has been generally outplaying Steve Blake throught camp and the preseason, but still hasn’t been named the full-time starting PG. In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, Miller said, “If I was told right out when I had my meetings that I would be a backup, then I wouldn’t have come here.” And you might remember that story about ‘Dre failing his conditioning test when Blazers camp opened. Well, he admits he failed, but called foul on the team for how it was handled. “I know I didn’t make it,” Miller said. “And if I didn’t make it, there were probably two to four other guys that didn’t make it. And afterward, those guys came to me and told me that their times were fixed.” … LeBron had 11 points and five assists in 17 minutes as the Cavs beat the Bobcats, and Shaq went for 12 points in 18 minutes. Without Tyson Chandler and Boris Diaw in the lineup, Charlotte had to start Nazr Mohammed and Vlad Radmanovic in the frontcourt. Ugh … Chris Paul put up 23 points, eight assists and two steals in N.O.’s win over the Thunder, while Kevin Durant had 11 points (2-11 FG). James Harden scored eight for OKC, and fellow rookie Serge Ibaka had 12 points and nine rebounds … Michael Redd is still on limited duty, playing just 12 minutes and scoring five points in Milwaukee’s win over Chicago. Derrick Rose (ankle) sat this one out. Brandon Jennings had six points (3-12 FG) and five dimes, and James Johnson posted 14 points and seven boards for the Bulls … Turns out Francisco Garcia will miss about four months following surgery on his broken wrist. ‘Cisco got hurt on Friday when he was working out and had an exercise ball pop on him. Somewhere in there you can find a metaphor for how this season will go for the Kings … It was all bad for Greg Paulus yesterday. With a handful of NFL scouts in the stands to watch Syracuse’s blowout loss to West Virginia, Paulus went 5-of-9 for 30 yards and one INT in the first half, then got benched for the entire second half. (‘Cuse fans booed the home team in the first half.) And this came one week after Paulus threw five interceptions against South Florida … On a better note, Gilbert Arenas‘ cousin Javier Arenas, a cornerback/kick returner at Alabama, had a pick and a 56-yard KR in the Crimson Tide’s win over Ole Miss … We’re out like short sleeves outside …
October 11th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Ross says:
Early, huh?
October 11th, 2009 at 12:28 am
KB24 says:
Cause it’s Saturday. Dime is out partying!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:37 am
dagwaller says:
Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, and now Andre Miller: making sure that the Pacific Northwest is an NBA afterthought.
October 11th, 2009 at 12:40 am
jzsmoove says:
Minus Garcia, Sacto should consider themselves lucky. It just means more PT and touches for Tyreke Evans. With apologies to KMartII, Evans is their future franchise cornerstone.
…I am personally excited for the regular season to get going. I will be working parttime at the ACC this year during Raptors games (and Leafs games, uggh theyre bad right now). I will be roaming in the building, while doing “work” ofcourse. Stationing myself in the lower bowl and sidelines. I found out last week during a Leafs game that staff there dont say much to you when you are wearing a suit. Biggest scam I have scored on, maybe ever.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:36 am
BRUCE says:
What was Garcia doing, HUMPING the ball?
October 11th, 2009 at 3:52 am
Young Money (R.I.P. B-Dub) says:
@Bruce you probably where. Your 1 weird dude. That happen’s not to be funny. Maybe funny looking.
October 11th, 2009 at 5:02 am
BRUCE says:
Oliver Miller, Robert Traylor, Escalade, Big Baby, Eddy Curry, Baby Shaq, and that 7 Feet Tall 300 Plus Pounds Monkey (Shaquile himself, could even burst the exercise ball if they wanted to!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:05 am
BRUCE says:
The newly crowned Mrs. Lamar Odom or formerly known as Khloe Kardashians could not burst the exercise ball.
Garcia always get injured by something stupid accidents.
Remember how he injured his ankle?
October 11th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Kobeef says:
@Dime
Earl Clark looks like a 7 footer because in the NBA 6′10 is considered 7 feet. Clark is actually bigger than Dwight.
Did portland think they were getting an athlete with Andre Miller? I mean, if they failed him because his combine numbers were slow, they need to be told that Andre is just slow – even when he is in shape. This is a sad situation for portland and needs to be sorted out soon.
October 11th, 2009 at 6:39 am
alf (from melmak) says:
Can Golden State clear their minds and trade Stephen Jackson to Utah for Carlos Boozer? It is a win-win situation.
My meal allowance wants Dime to hire me as an intern. Distance is never a problem guys. We have this thing called the internet.
October 11th, 2009 at 6:52 am
BERN BROGDEN says:
I can imagine how that meeting between Dre and Nate went…right after practice…
Dre: Now Nate, don’t bullsh*t me, I am going to be the starter, right??
Nate: Sure Dre, I got you dawg. We need a big, strong presence like you in the backcourt. We got the bigs, the wings, we just need you throwing darts to these dudes and I think you can get the job done my man.
Dre: That’s what I’m talkin’ bout! But you never said I was the starter though – yaknowwhatImean??
Nate: Come again.
Dre: Starter. Am I going to be the starter?
*Steve Blake text messages Nate*
SB: Yo!! NM – did u c dre get x’d over by pattie
millz? pat touched the ‘fro. lol. i’ma
put it on youtube.
Nate starts to chuckle at the text but remembers Andre just asked a question…
Nate: Suuuuuuure Dre
(Nate still giggling)
Dre: So I’m the starter?
(Nate laughing uncontrollably now)
Nate: Yeah Dre (laughing even louder) You’ll be our starter! You’re killing me!
(Nate wipes the tears from his face)
Dre: That’s what I’m talkin’ bout.
PS – Dear Dime community, I’m sooo ready for the new season…can’t wait for the agreements, disagreements, the arguments, the outstanding plays and players, the over-raters, the under-raters, the haters, congratulators, the cinderella teams – basically I’m ready to talk my sh*t (post, blog, type, whatever you wanna call it)
October 11th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Soopa says:
Probably gonna be in tomorrows Smack and i know its only the preseason but you seen Carmelo score 45 on the pacers – playing only 24mins!?!
October 11th, 2009 at 9:48 am
That's whats up says:
The only good thing to come out of Oakland is the smoke
Greg Paulus will probably be drafted 3rd overall by the Raiders next year
when mentioning Chris Paul’s stats you should include his UPO’s – Uncalled Push-Offs. He would get a triple double every game – fuckin’ cheater…
October 11th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Lucas says:
Anthony Marrow was looking like a late career version of Ray Allen last night… I was extremely impressed.
P.S Thanks a lot Cisco, I regret drafting you now.
October 11th, 2009 at 10:39 am
doc says:
Anthony Morrow looked like who?Yeah Melo getting his groove on.And Shaq and Bron look dominant together.Its gonna be a hell of a year.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:33 am
doc says:
@thats whats up-Please with the pushoff nonsense.If you dont push off you aint a real baller which you must not be since the pushoff bothers you so much.Do u see any players complaining?Ask MJ how the push off can be used to be effective.Dont remember him being called a cheater even in Utah.Man up or go home.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:47 am
dagwaller says:
Hahahaha great post, BERN.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Doug says:
“We’re out like short sleeves outside”?????dime you guys are really getting of hand with this one is lamer than the one before it.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
ProphetGK says:
and build u up so u can be the biggest in the game..
October 11th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
ab_40 says:
cna someone please tell me why lebron go’s around the world to promot his new shoe with his new movie and wears zoom soldiers in the pre season? thank you
October 11th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
ab_40 says:
Bruce your jokes SUCK
October 11th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
sh!tfaced says:
…out like the Warriors’ black hole offense
October 12th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Kevin says:
@ab_40: Probably so he can debut the new shoes on the first game of the regular season, which is actually on TV and will have people watching. Debuting a new shoe/jersey in the preseason is like releasing a new album out the trunk of your car.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
jay says:
a lot to surf through but first off…the all star game should not be played outside..i do not mind gimmicks and all but outdoor games sans rucker…aka nba games pre-season, all star, or scrimmages should be inside..you build billion dollar arenas it seems every year..use em!!!!